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CHARACTERS.

DELMORE, whose name was changed in India from Raymond; and who is in love with Alydia.

OLD RAYMOND, an English Merchant, and Grandfather to Delmore.

YOUNG RAYMOND, eldest Brother of Delmore.

SIR ROBERT POSITIVE, a rich general Merchant.
MELVILLE, Agent to Delmore.

PETER HICKUP,

GEORGE BUMPERS

Young Raymond's companions.

ALYDIA, Sir Robert Positive's Niece; in love with

Delmore.

LADY POSITIVE, Wife of Sir Robert.

MARTHA BLOOм, a Country Young Lady.

MRS. BLOOм, her Mother.

AMELIA, Servant to Lady Positive.

LUCY, Servant to Martha.

MARY HAWTHORN, a Country Young Woman.

A Clergyman, a Lawyer, Sheriffs, Marshalmen, Country Boy, Sailors, Gaolers, Executioner, Servants, and Watchmen.

THE FORGERY;

A Drama.

ACT I.

SCENE I. A Hall in Sir Robert Positive's house.

Loud knocking at the door several times; at last a Servant of Sir Robert enters.

Serv. WHAT hasty knave can this be at the door, Who knocks as if he meant to wake the dead?

[Opens the door, MELVILLE enters with a SAILOR, who brings a chest.]

Mela. Pray doth Sir Robert Positive live here?

Serv. Thou hast noised as much as if thou wert

Sir Robert.

He doth. What then? Who art thou? Melo. (to the Sailor.) Here, set down the chest ; and return and bring

The other which I show'd to thee on board.

Sail. (as he sets down the chest.) There, shipmate, a

rare frigate; if she is

As heavy in her cargo as in metal,

She is a taut prize for thy commodore.

[Exit Sailor.

Serv. Here, set down the chest! What art thou? who

art thou?

Melv. Is thy master at home? or gentleman

Of the name of Delmore in this proud house?

Serv. Why pray, what do you want with my master?
If you have any message to leave, leave it.
Show me the ticket of the porterage,
And I shall pay the charge if it be right.

Melv. I want to see your master-tell him so,
As I can trust no other with my bus'ness.
Here are treasures of great value for him.

Serv. Treasures or no treasures, I shall not now
Trouble my master about them. Leave them.

Melo. But you must though, sir.

Serv. But I will not, sir.

[First Sailor returns with his messmate, carrying a very large chest.]

1 Sail. Avast, messmate, douse all sails-lower the

cargo,

And stow it here, shipmate, in a snug berth.

2 Sail. (setting down the chest.) There it is, chuck ablock I warrant you,

Melv. (to the Sailors.) Put it here, my good fellows, (to the Servant.) Now, great sir,

Go tell your master, sirrah, instantly,

I have a weighty charge to leave with him.

Serv. What is the sum you claim for porterage?
Melv. I want no money, but your master, sir;

Which if you do not instantly inform him,

Myself will take the liberty to do so.

[Offering to go, but is stopped by the Servant.

Serv. Thou shalt not though, whilst I wear this liv'ry. Melo. If you still refuse to tell your master, Or further thus oppose my seeing him,

I'll give a double trimming to your coat.

[Melville attempts to force his way.

1 Sail. Bravo! bravo! shipmate. See his honor, And let him see us too. It's damn'd squally. Huzza! and stand by for a glass of grog.

(All endeavouring to pass the Servant, who calls out.)

Serv. Here John, Bob, William, help! thieves! thieves! (Enter more servants, gaily dressed, and a scuffle ensues.) 1 Sail. (to 1 Servant.) Avast! avast, thou lubber, or I'll lend

A taut hand to thy bowsprit.

(Taking him by the nose, and the other two Servants seize

Melville.)

Melv. Renounce thy hold, slave, or I will shake thee From thy gay attire, and leave you all

Like butterflies in winter. Away, you rogues! (Pushing them a great distance from him, where they stand shaking.)

2 Sail. (triumphantly to the 1 Sailor.) They are all knock'd up, they cannot stand a squall.

(2 Sailor seeing Delmore at a distance.)

Hallo, Jack, here's a strange sial hove in sight; Douse all, and run under the commodore's lee. (1 Sailor leaves hold of the 1 Servant's nose, and places himself behind Melville as Delmore enters.)

Enter DELMORE, in Eastern attire.

Del. What noise is this? (seeing Melville.) Ah, welcome, good Melville.

What's th' matter here? Are the stores disembark'd?

Why all this amazement? What's the matter,

That they all stand like statues? What's the cause?

Melv. That, sir, I will tell you, and thus it is:

Soon as your stores could be conveyed here,
I caus'd them to be brought as you desir'd,
And on my coming to this house, inquir'd
Whether Sir Robert Positive liv'd here.
Yon fellow answered he did, what then?
Ask'd me who I was; and, after such like taunts,
Either unto Sir Robert or to you

He did refuse my message to deliver.

In vain I urg'd that these inclosures did

Contain great treasures, which I could not trust
To any but his master or yourself;

And if he would not you or him inform,

I would myself the freedom take to do so;
And after further speech, and a refusal,

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1 press'd upon him, and he bawl'd out Thieves!
When in came all this gay and coward tribe,
And seiz'd me like a felon in the house;
Whereat these brave lads and myself oppos'd
Their servile and abus'd authority :—
Now, sir, I have great pleasure to inform you,
Not only these, but likewise all the rest

Of

your rich stores are safely got on shore.
Del. Melville, I thank you for your trusty care.
Reward those men, and let them bring the rest.
And so farewell, good Melville.

[Exeunt Melville and Sailors.

Now to these.

I'm sorry thus to learn your master hath

Made choice of men who so forget themselves;

However, take you that, (giving money) and learn in

future

Better to behave-at least to strangers.

[Servants bow, and exeunt.

Thus I've restor❜d kind quiet in this house,

Where naught but love and gentleness should dwell.

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